THEM BONES, THEM BONES...

10.Obtain a x-ray of my spine...COMPLETED

Most of you may know I have severe kypho scoliosis and had surgeries from 1981-88. You may be surprised to learn that there is no scoliosis consultant for adults in the whole of Scotland. Last week I attended a general orthapedic consultant to get my spine checked out after a few aches and pains. I am pleased to report all is well and x-rays show no dramatic changes have taken place with my spinal fusions or Harrington rod.

CHARITY KNITS

60. Knit 50 items for charity...COMPLETED
I pretty much think this is done. Bear with me lots of knitting photos ahead although not all my charity items are pictured. The haul includes 20 premature baby hats, 5 premature baby jackets, 1 gingerbread man toy, 1 pram star toy, 10 Teddies For Tragedy (which were sent to Africa via the singing children of Africa), 2 school jumpers, 3 pairs of fingerless gloves, 10 scarves. Okay that makes...52? Yup, thats that item complete..hooray!

KEEP ON READING

20.Read & list 50 books....in progress 15/50

More books to add. At last I got round to reading classic tale 'Kidnapped' by Scots writer Robert Louis Stevenson. Set in 1751, the story is of a young man David Balfour, who has recently lost his parents and is sent out into the world (beyond his native Edinburgh) to seek his 'kinfolk'. His uncle tricks him not only of his rightful inheritance but his freedom as he is scuttled aboard a ship bound for Carolina. Events onboard find him saving the life of wanted Highlander Alan Breck who is in his debt and agrees to help Balfour return home and gain his birthright.

Although I prefer modern fiction I enjoyed this book. I was especially encaptured as part of the story is set at South Queensferry, not far from where I stay. The Hawes Inn mentioned is an actual pub which still stands today and to which I visited last year when Gavin did his abseil from the Forth Rail Bridge just opposite. Its strange to imagine both Forth bridges did not exist when this novel was written.

The second book is Janet Street Porters 'Fallout: A Memoir Of Friends Made And Lost' a follow up to her previous autobiographical 'Baggage'. All I have to say is this book is great, I love this woman. She is witty and unashamadly candid. If I were to ever write a book I wish it too be half as brilliant as her work.

Lets Get Physical!

1.Do a course & pass it ...COMPLETED

Pictured is my certificate to prove that I have successfully completed the 'Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme'. The course, based at my local hospital was 16 sessions of physio for people like me with 'crappy lungs'. The class consisted of a small group of people with C.O.P.D or some other form of lung function restriction. Guided and monitored by the physiotherapists I progressed throughout the weeks using hand weights, the bench press and treadmill. Pre-course and post course tests showed improvements in my breathing and stamina whilst exercising.

2 ITEMS FOR 1

59.Sort out all my boxes in attic...COMPLETED

I wasn't too sure if I could mark this one off but the Mister he say 'yeah'.
To be pernickity I haven't sorted out ALL the boxes that are in the attic but merely the unsealed boxes and all the other stuff that had been flung up there without much care.
It was a joint effort as I am too scared to physically climb the step ladder into the attic. Our last house was fab as it had an attic bedroom with a wee door into a vast attic space but this house has the more traditional overhead attic with entry via a hatch and so for me remains uncharted territory!!
We managed to get rid of a lot of stuff we had forgotten ever existed..so much for
"we might need it later",
and if we do..TOUGH!
After we packed up all the 'no longer required' goods we donated them to 'Blythswood Care'.
Now I have lots of attic space to fill with 'new junk'...hooray!!

And so with that being the 25th item I have marked off my list I can also mark off this one:
100.Have 25 items done in year 1** ..COMPLETED

BOOKS

20.Read & list 50 books....in progress 13/50

It's not that I have been slowing down on my reading, just that I have not listed them here lately. My reading material has really varied and I'm running short of things to read having caught up with all the books I had stacked by my bedside. An excuse to shop, me thinks?

The last book I read was 'Porno' by Irvine Welsh and is the sequel to his highly successful 'Trainspotting' (made into a movie starring Ewan MacGregor). Written in broad slang Edinburgh dialect, it follows the same characters eight years after Trainspotting. Its a gritty,crude and sometimes shocking tale of drugs, porn,deceit and violence. What makes it come to life for me is that I've lived in Edinburgh, been to many of the pubs and clubs mentioned and met people not unlike Welsh's characters. It's not glamourous but if you have spent any time in Leith you'll realise its not gratuitous either.

'The Rottweiller' by crime writer Ruth Rendell. All I will say is I liked it whilst reading but the ending was a bit flat. Not that memorable.

'Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins' by Rupert Everett was a great read, one really liked and was almost disappointed at the end because I enjoyed it so much I wanted it to go on. This actors biography was full of names, places and incidents but it didnt feel self centred like so many of the celeb biographies are. I enjoyed his stories from the time he lived in Paris and his unashamed admittance of his own naivity.

DEBT RELIEF!

2.Be debt free...COMPLETED
The third item I have completed this week..oh baby, I'm on a roll!
This item is something to celebrate..I AM DEBT FREE! I have never been one to be extravagant with money but there was a short period of time when I got in the habit of just using my credit card and not paying it off in full at the end of the month. Now, I am living up to my Scottish sterotype and being as tight as a nut!
Today after a good year or so of regular payments and no spending I have paid off my credit card and I AM DEBT FREE..it feels good!!